G2 Esports, JD Gaming advance at First Stand Tournament

G2 Esports and JD Gaming claimed the last two spots in the First Stand Tournament knockout stage on Friday in Sao Paulo.

G2 Esports earned a 3-0 sweep of FEARX in the Group A lower-bracket final, while JD Gaming posted a 3-1 win over LYON in the Group B lower-bracket final.

The $1 million League of Legends competition began with eight teams competing at Riot Games Arena in the first cross-regional tournament of the season. All matches are best-of-five. The champions take home $250,000.

Bilibili Gaming and Gen.G previously qualified for the knockout stage.

In Friday's action, G2 Esports opened with a 32-minute win on red, followed by 36- and 30-minute victories on blue. The MVP was Rudy "SkewMond" Semaan with 19 kills, seven deaths and 35 assists.

After JD Gaming began with a 30-minute win on blue, LYON leveled the match with a 41-minute win on red. JDG answered with a 30-minute win on red and a 41-minute victory on blue. Wei "GALA" Chen finished with 25 kills, four deaths and 22 assists.

Saturday's knockout stage semifinals:

--Bilibili Gaming vs. JD Gaming

--Gen.G vs. G2 Esports

First Stand Tournament prize pool

1. $250,000

2. $150,000

3-4. $125,000

5-6. $100,000 -- FEARX, LYON

7-8. $75,000 -- Secret Whales, LOUD

--Field Level Media